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Excelerate Technology Provides Satellite Solution For Hounslow's New Outside Broadcast Vehicle
Added: (Tue Apr 14 2009)
The Hounslow Creative and Media consortium has launched a new state-of-the-art outdoor broadcast vehicle to support the 14-19 Diploma in Creative and Media, a new qualification in addition to GCSEs and A Levels. The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive range of high-end, industry standard broadcast equipment including a transportable satellite solution supplied and installed by Excelerate Technology, the UK’s leading provider of satellite and wireless-based data, voice and video solutions.
The vehicle was unveiled on Tuesday 31 March at the X2 Warehouse, Hatton Cross Centre, London and has been partially funded by a capital grant from the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families). It will enable students to combine studying in the classroom with a “hands on” learning experience and provide the opportunity to work with employers on real creative and media projects. The Diploma is being piloted by Brentford School for Girls, Cranford Community College, Heston Community School, Lampton School, and West Thames College, with the support of Brentford City Learning Centre and other members of the consortium.
Excelerate Technology supplied a roof-mounted 1.2m transportable satellite solution that can be operational within four minutes of parking the vehicle. The satellite solution enables this innovative learning facility to access high speed broadband wherever the vehicle is located. This allows ‘live’ video images to be streamed in real-time to a secure server where they can be viewed live on internet-enabled computers, PDAs and mobile phones. It also provides access to email, video conferencing and instant messaging. The unit also features a fully operational professional TV and radio broadcast studio and digital editing suite as well as a comprehensive range of industry-standard broadcast equipment including high definition cameras, Apple iMac and MacBook computers and wireless networking.
According to John Hurley, Operations Manager for the Hounslow Creative and Media consortium: “Excelerate Technology has provided us with a resilient and reliable satellite solution that will enhance the capabilities of this unique outside broadcast vehicle. The company’s ability to understand what we were trying to achieve was very impressive and provided us with high levels of confidence that our objectives for this vehicle would be realised.”
Excelerate Technology operates and manages its own satellite and private GSM network and holds all VSAT Network Licenses required by Ofcom. This will ensure the delivery of high quality bandwidth, which can be tailored in real time to suit specific needs, budgets and service level requirements, and provide uninterrupted transmission of broadcast quality images wherever the unit is operating.
The vehicle will be used for a wide range of cross disciplinary projects involving film, dance, theatre, music and sport. It can even be taken to events where students can experience the real-life pressures of operating in external locations that closely mirror the situations in which they may be working after gaining their diplomas.
“This outside broadcast vehicle will not only help increase the learning opportunities for students involved in the Creative and Media diploma, but will also become a shared resource for other collaborative projects within the borough, and ultimately further afield,” continued John Hurley. “It has the power to engage the imagination and unleash creativity whilst fostering a team spirit to work on real projects that relate to work situations both locally and further afield.”
About Excelerate Technology
Excelerate Technology is the market leader in the supply and integration of satellite and wireless-based data, voice and video applications on Mobile Incident Command and Control and Communications Support Vehicles used by the emergency services. The company can also demonstrate a track record of successful deployments in the public sector for organisations such as Powys County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and Northern Ireland Library Service. Excelerate offers a complete single source solution by providing full training and support to complement its expert design, development, supply and integration capabilities.
For further information, please visit www.excelerate.info